A comprehensive survey of Product Management reveals some interesting insights. The most frequently valued skills for PMs are communication, execution, and product sense. These qualities are highly regarded in the field and are essential for success. On the other hand, design/UX, empathy, and raw intelligence are the least frequently valued skills for PMs. This indicates that while these qualities may still be important, they are not given as much emphasis in the PM role.

A comprehensive survey of Product Management reveals some interesting insights. The most frequently valued skills for PMs are communication, execution, and product sense. These qualities are highly regarded in the field and are essential for success. On the other hand, design/UX, empathy, and raw intelligence are the least frequently valued skills for PMs. This indicates that while these qualities may still be important, they are not given as much emphasis in the PM role.

However, it is worth noting that PMs have more influence than other functions at only 70% of companies. This is lower than the average of 80% for other roles. The level of influence varies widely across different companies. For example, at Zynga, PMs have a significant amount of control and authority, while at Apple, PMs have the least influence. This suggests that the role of a PM can vary greatly depending on the company and its culture.

Moving on to a different topic, the effectiveness of highlighting as a learning tool is explored. Highlighting is often seen as a basic method of studying, but it is not always the most effective. Novice learners, in particular, may struggle to identify what is important to highlight. They may lack the metacognitive skills necessary to effectively learn from highlighting alone.

To enhance the effectiveness of highlighting, Harvard suggests several strategies. The first strategy is called the "Brain-Book-Buddy" approach. Instead of simply highlighting, students use markers to identify gaps in their knowledge. This helps them to actively engage with the material and identify areas where they need to deepen their understanding.

The second strategy is to incorporate creative annotations. Simply highlighting the text is not enough to achieve a deeper understanding. Students should also annotate the text by synthesizing information, writing short summaries, reflecting, or even drawing representations of the marked text. Collaborative annotations can also be beneficial, as students can analyze each other's annotations and gain new perspectives.

The third and final strategy is to encourage students to generate their own questions after highlighting a key idea. This helps to enhance their understanding of the topic, increase their interest, and engage reluctant learners. By asking their own questions, students are able to take a more active role in their learning process and deepen their understanding.

In conclusion, both the field of Product Management and the effectiveness of highlighting as a learning tool have their own unique insights. For aspiring PMs, it is important to focus on communication, execution, and product sense. These skills are highly valued in the industry and can contribute to success. Additionally, understanding the level of influence PMs have in different companies is crucial in navigating the role.

When it comes to highlighting as a learning tool, it is important to go beyond simply marking the text. Strategies such as the "Brain-Book-Buddy" approach, creative annotations, and student-generated questions can greatly enhance the effectiveness of highlighting. By actively engaging with the material and deepening their understanding, students can improve their learning outcomes.

Three actionable advice to take away from this article:

• 1. Focus on developing strong communication, execution, and product sense skills if you aspire to be a successful Product Manager.

• 2. When using highlighting as a learning tool, go beyond just marking the text. Incorporate strategies like creative annotations and student-generated questions to deepen your understanding.

• 3. Understand the level of influence PMs have in different companies before pursuing a career in Product Management. Company culture and dynamics can greatly impact the role and responsibilities of a PM.